NEW BUSINESS

City Traffic Engineer Mark Miller presented staff's report regarding consideration of a request to install green curb (15-minute parking) in front of 4009 West Valencia Drive. The request was made in an effort to provide immediate short-term customer parking directly in front of the business at that address. The request has the support of the property owners adjacent to the store; overnight parking between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. is permitted on both sides of Valencia between Edward and Turner Avenues; and staff conducted an accident history. As a result of the extensive residential on-street parking in the surrounding neighborhood, overnight parking, and semi trucks parked in front of the store, visibility of Joe's Market is affected, as is visibility for drivers exiting the adjacent parking lot.

Commissioner Hardwick asked if twenty five feet would be sufficient. Mr. Miller concurred.

The hearing was opened to public comments.

Hyun Suk Seo, 4009 West Valencia Drive, was concerned about the number of vehicles that park in front of the store.

The public comment segment was closed.

Commissioner Robeson recommended that the request be modified from 25 feet to 40 feet of green-painted curb. He then made a motion to approve staff's request, with the proposed modification to 40 feet. Commissioner Hardwick seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

2. CONSIDERATION OF A STAFF RECOMMENDATION TO PROHIBIT WEST BOUND LEFT-TURNS FROM CHAPMAN AVENUE INTO THE POST OFFICE PARKING LOT AT 1350 E. CHAPMAN AVENUE.

Mr. Miller presented staff's report regarding consideration of a staff recommendation to prohibit west bound left-turns from Chapman Avenue into the post office parking lot at 1350 E. Chapman Avenue. Staff received a number of complaints from drivers and residents of the area. Staff contacted the post office and discussed the possibility of restriping their parking lot in making the west driveway the entrance and the east driveway the exit there by giving more of a left turn. The post master indicated that at this time they have no money to restripe their post office entrance. Staff feels that in order to prohibit the west bound left hand turn they should install a painted median with signs. At this point they will not be installing a raised median.

Commissioner Robeson asked how the median will affect the east bound traffic turning left into the adjacent shopping center. Mr. Miller said that the east bound traffic would still be able to access the two way left turn pocket and make a left turn into the driveway.

Commissioner Ginter asked if the post office has been notified about staffs plan. Dave Langstaff, City Traffic Technician II, said that a notification was sent to the post office but staff has not yet heard back from the post office. Mr. Ginter feels that this plan will place a hardship on their west bound patrons.

Commissioner Robeson asked if it is possible to shorten the painted median so that we can put a left turn light into the post office. Mr. Miller said that there is not enough room.

Commissioner Ginter asked if anyone has assessed the cost for re striping and signage as opposed to what it would cost to re strip the post office. Mr. Miller said that there is no incentive and it will cost a few hundred dollars. To re stripe the whole parking lot and the new mail boxes the cost would be a few thousand dollars.

Bob Hodson, Director of Engineering, said that staff had a meeting with the City Manager, Chris Meyer, and it is their opinion that the City should not be spending City tax payer's funds to do something that the Federal Government is collecting funds and could be using City funds that they collect to do this kind of work.

Commissioner Buck asked if staff has conducted a study for the amount of people that make a left turn into the post office. Mr. Miller videotaped 20 cars making left turns within 45 minutes.

The hearing was opened to public comments.

Lucy Dutton, 1506 E. Central, feels that the entrance and exit of the post office should be reversed.

John Olmstead, 809 N. Ford Avenue, agrees with everything that has been said about how difficult this particular problem is. However, Mr. Oldstead feels that he will be objective for what is being proposed. He feels that the solution would be to get the post office to restripe their parking lot.

The public comment segment was closed.

Commissioner Robeson said that the only thing that makes sense is to have the post office change at this time. He does not feel that he cannot support what is being proposed.

Commissioner Ginter believes that we can take some financial incentive from the City due to the problem.

Commissioner Hardwick made a motion to accept staffs recommendation to restripe Chapman Avenue as they designed it. Vice Chairman Cochran seconded the motion.

AYES: Hardwick NAYES: Buck, Cochran, Ginter, Robeson

The vote was 1 to 4 and the motion was denied.

Commissioner Ginter made a second motion to accept staffs recommendation for restriping Chapman Avenue with a proviso that one more effort be made with post office administration outlining to them the impact on the residents and escalating this discussion to a higher level to see if it can be resolved without restriping. Commissioner Hardwick seconded the motion.

AYES: Cochran, Ginter, Hardwick NAYES: Buck, Robeson

The vote was 3 to 2 and the motion was approved.

3. CONSIDERATION OF A STAFF RECOMMENDATION TO INSTALL "NO STOPPING ANYTIME" ON THE WEST SIDE OF HIGHLAND AVENUE BETWEEN WHITING AVENUE AND CHAPMAN AVENUE; AND ON BOTH SIDES OF HIGHLAND AVENUE BETWEEN CHAPMAN AVENUE AND 170 FEET NORTH OF THE CENTERLINE OF CHAPMAN AVENUE.

Mr. Miller presented staff's recommendation to install "No Stopping Anytime" on the west side of Highland Avenue between Whiting Avenue and Chapman Avenue; and on both sides of Highland Avenue between Chapman Avenue and 170 feet north of the centerline of Chapman Avenue. This item was brought to the T&CC on February 4, 2002. At that time, staff was proposing to re stripe Highland Avenue, both north and south of Chapman Avenue. Also, prohibiting parking on the west side south of Chapman Avenue. The majority of the Commissioners approved the recommendation and it was presented to City Council on March 5, 2002. Staff was directed to take this item to the Bicycle Users Subcommittee (BUSC). On March 20, 2002, the BUSC agreed with the recommendation to remove parking and restripe Highland Avenue south of Chapman Avenue. However, the BUSC also recommended that the existing centerline striping remain on Highland Avenue north of Chapman Avenue. The BUSC voted unanimously on these two recommendations.

Commissioner Hardwick stated that the only thing changed is that there will not be a left-turn pocket southbound on Highland Avenue. Mr. Miller indicated that this was the only change.

Commissioner Buck asked if the reason for doing this was due to drivers splitting the northbound lanes, thereby blocking traffic that wanted to make a right turn. Mr. Miller said that this was one reason; the other was for through traffic.

Commissioner Buck asked why the through traffic cannot be in the left-turn lane. Mr. Miller stated that there are locations where this is done. However, these are locations that have a very high right-turn volume. Mr. Miller said that the right and left turns are equal.

The hearing was opened for public comments.

Garrett Hartney, 402 N. Highland Avenue, would like to preserve parking in front of his property due to limited parking availability.

John Olmstead, 809 N. Ford Avenue, spoke as the Chairman of the BUSC. He feels that the traffic congestion is due to the signal being too long. Mr. Olmstead also commended staff for working with the BUSC to find a reasonable solution to the issue. Mr. Miller indicated that additional signal time was needed on Chapman due to the recent coordination of the traffic signals.

The public comment segment was closed.

Commissioner Buck asked if the traffic signals will be longer and if so, will they be more than a minute. Mr. Miller said that they will not be longer, but they will be more than a minute.

4. CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST TO INSTALL SPECIFIC TAXICAB PARKING SPACES WITHIN THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS DISTRICT.

Mr. Langstaff presented staff's report regarding consideration of a request to install specific taxicab parking spaces within the Downtown Business District. Mr. Ernest Zingg, the owner of the Cellar Restaurant within the Villa Del Sol, made the request due to the inability of his customers to obtain taxicab service to and from his restaurant.

Mr. Langstaff explained that the request for taxicab parking spaces is only one aspect of several to improve taxicab service in Fullerton. Mr. Langstaff stated that staff selected four locations for proposed taxicab parking. The locations were selected in an effort to provide the least disruption to public parking while providing the needed spaces for taxicab parking.

The four locations chosen were; the north side of Wilshire Avenue west of Harbor Boulevard within the turn-out, the north side of Amerige Avenue west of Harbor Boulevard within the turn-out, the north side of Commonwealth Avenue east of Harbor Boulevard, and within the northerly portion of the Transportation Center Parking Lot behind the businesses.

The existing parking restrictions at the four locations apply between the hours of either 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Staff's proposal is to have those locations selected converted to taxicab parking between the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

Mrs. Phillips, Assistant to the City Manager, commented on the various complaints received and explained that other options were still being considered to improve taxicab service in Fullerton.

Commissioner Robeson asked what the response has been from the local businesses. Mr. Langstaff stated that there has been no response with the exception of the petitioner on Wilshire Avenue. Positive comments were received from the property owners adjacent to the proposed changes on Amerige Avenue.

Commissioner Robeson expressed concern for the proposed loss of one space on the north side of Wilshire Avenue, currently designated as 2-hour parking, with a 20-minute parking space. Mr. Langstaff explained that the 20-minute parking space will apply between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with taxicab parking between the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., that the 20-minute parking will create greater turnover for all businesses adjacent to the street. This will allow for greater ease in receiving deliveries. Commissioner Robeson stated that the Lavenders Flower Shop has substantial parking for its employees and delivery vehicles at the rear of their business.

Commissioner Robeson asked staff if a portion of the existing red curb west of the proposed taxicab parking space could be removed and utilized for taxicab parking or public parking. Staff stated that they would have to look into it and report back.

5. CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST TO INSTALL GREEN CURB (15-MINUTE PARKING) ON THE NORTH SIDE OF SANTA FE AVENUE IN FRONT OF 115 W. SANTA FE AVENUE.

Mr. Miller presented staffs report regarding consideration of a request to install green curb (15-minute parking) on the north side of Santa Fe Avenue in front of 115 W. Santa Fe Avenue. Staff also recommends that if at some time the striping and parking configuration changes that the Director of Engineering be authorized to remove and set restrictions. Mr. Carlo Terranova, co-owner of The Continental Room, made the request in an effort to provide passenger drop off and pick up area for patrons. This is an interim gray curb area.

6. CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST TO REMOVE THE EXISTING WHITE CURB (3-MINUTE PARKING) AND INSTALL "NO STOPPING ANYTIME" ON THE EAST SIDE OF ACACIA AVENUE BETWEEN CHAPMAN AVENUE AND THE EAST/WEST ALLEY NORTH OF CHAPMAN AVENUE.

Mr. Miller presented staffs report regarding consideration of a request to remove the existing white curb ( 3-minute parking) and install "No Stopping Anytime" on the east side of Acacia Avenue between Chapman Avenue and the east/west alley north of Chapman Avenue. The request was made by Commissioner Buck, that staff consider removing the existing 3-minute passenger loading/unloading zone that is represented by white curb. The white curb is located in front of The Fullerton Child Development center. This item was presented to the BUSC. At that time the committee termed that the current parking and striping configuration was not an unsafe condition or detrimental to bicycle safety and that renewal for 3-minute would create a hardship for the business. The BUSC voted unanimously to support staffs position and recommend to the commission that the request be denied.

Commissioner Buck stated that this is a dangerous situation. He does not feel that the BUSC made any determinations; he feels they only discussed the item.

Commissioner Ginter attended the BUSC meeting and agrees with Commissioner Buck that nothing was determined. Commissioner Ginter says that they did discuss the safety aspects of the item and that there was some recognition that there might be a safety problem.

The public comment was opened and closed.

Commissioner Ginter made a motion to accept staffs recommendation to deny the request to remove the 3-minute passenger loading/unloading zone. Commissioner Hardwick seconded the motion.

AYES: Cochran, Ginter, Hardwick, Robeson NAYES: Buck

The vote was 4 to 1 and the motion was approved.

7. REPORT ON STATUS OF CITYWIDE OVERNIGHT PARKING RESTRICTION STUDY.

Mr. Hodson said that the council originally requested this to be brought back to them with a summation and some options but staff informed them that there is a process, and the commission be involved in the process. Mr. Hodson said that there is no deadline to bring this back to council and another option would be to put all the data back in the commissions packet.

Commissioner Robeson made a motion to bring this report back when they have a whole commission in May. Commissioner Hardwick seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Commissioner Ginter also distributed a possible resolution for consideration by staff and the commissioner when this item is heard.

NON AGENDA ITEMS

Mr. Hodson reported that Commissioner LeAnn French has submitted a letter of resignation as of this meeting.

Commissioner Robeson is in the process of buying a home outside of the City of Fullerton and would like to know what the rules are if he is no longer a resident in the City. Mr. Hodson will review the rules.

Mr. Hodson said that staff will be bringing the following items; Santa Fe re striping, and Downtown Parking Study.

COUNCIL REVIEW

None

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Commissioner Buck commented for his family in regards to the island that is on Bastanchury Road and Associated Road. He says that the island in the middle of the street extends out and appears to be very dangerous.

Commissioner Buck commented for his son in regards to the signal light at State College and Chapman Avenue. His son believes that the left hand turn signal went off at different times. Mr. Miller said that one light is program visibility and the other is LED, so to ones eyes they may appear to be on at the same time but are not.

Commissioner Cochran complimented staff for the colored digital pictures used in this month's packet.

ADJOURNMENT

The regular meeting of the Transportation & Circulation Commission was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.